Since we left the ferry from Istanbul to Bandirma, there were no big adventures in turkey, but it was really a nice trip. We enjoyed being in turkey, the landscape, the food, the people, the general feeling is just great.

After reaching Bandirma we are trying to find a campsite near Erdek in the dark. Luzifer doesn't make it better with stopping the engine on her own all the time, which drowns the battery, which finally makes us kick start her every 10min.

We drive further and further to find the camping-site, which doesn't exist any more.

We decide to camp wild next to the small road we are on. Of course the neighbour gets suspicious and comes out of his house. Naci, the neighbour, who is speaking german, says: No problem! and showes us an even better spot to set up our tent. The next 4 days we stay here, without paying a cent and being warmly welcomed by Naci, who gives us food, lets us wash our clothes and helps us where ever he can.

We ride down the eastcoast of turkey to get further south, because the nights in the tent are not really enjoyable any more. As well in turkey the winter is coming up.

We reach a campsite in Ören which is probably built for 100 our maybe even more people, but we are the only guests apart from one other camper van. And as the world is a small place, Musti and Sieglinde (lovely people) don't live far from us.

After Izmir, Pamukkale and then the real tourist areas around Antalya, which we tried to leave behind us as fast as possible, we come to a really good area for riding bikes. Winding up small mountain roads, far away of the region where tourists usually are. The whole surrounding is covered in banana farms and the view is fantastic. Average speed drops dramatically and we enjoy the windy cruising on our bikes.

The only thing which makes us worry a bit is the uncontrolled stopping of Luzifer, so we decide to bring the bike to a service station in Mersin.

Not just that this problem is solved quite fast, we are lucky to get to know Ahmet (the owner of the service station) and his family (Silbe and Melike), with whom we spend every evening with. We have also been with Ahmet on our first Motorbike club meeting with Türk Chopper, although we have no chopper. :) After these days in Mersin it feels quite hard to say Good bye!

Finally on the 16th of october, Tam finds his way to us. The boys feel like they know each other since a long time and that is good. The team is complete now!

It's so very cool, so amazing, so ... I can't find the right words...
I really hope you all enjoy this terrific trip the most and will come home sound and safe and full of wonderful impressions and memories and enough interesting stories to tell for a lifetime. But as far as I can tell from your blog and the pictures, I don't have to wish you any of that because you are already having an amazing time! So let me wish you that your trip continues to be nothing but great! And that your bikes do "a good job".
Stefan's Mom is quite right, that he and I might be "inspired" but on the other hand ... I think I'm simply too chicken, too lazy and too old for a trip like that. Therefor I'm perfectly enjoying my new apartment and my cosy bed! ;-) 'cause when you get older, it's those little comforts that you really appreciate. *ggg* ... By the way, thanx again for the good wishes for my birthday!!!
Gonna go to bed now.

Enjoy yourselves and have fun and enjoy the next surely amazing stations of your trip!